May 7, 2005: Headlines: COS - Tunisia: Staff: Deputy Directors - Olsen: South Bend Tribune: Jody Olsen, deputy director of the Peace Corps, described some of her experiences in the Peace Corps during a 2005 commencement address to graduates of Ivy Tech State College
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May 7, 2005: Headlines: COS - Tunisia: Staff: Deputy Directors - Olsen: South Bend Tribune: Jody Olsen, deputy director of the Peace Corps, described some of her experiences in the Peace Corps during a 2005 commencement address to graduates of Ivy Tech State College
Jody Olsen, deputy director of the Peace Corps, described some of her experiences in the Peace Corps during a 2005 commencement address to graduates of Ivy Tech State College
Jody Olsen, deputy director of the Peace Corps, described some of her experiences in the Peace Corps during a 2005 commencement address to graduates of Ivy Tech State College
Grads can make a difference
Peace Corps official speaks at IvyTech's commencement.
By MARGARET FOSMOE
Tribune Staff Writer
SOUTH BEND -- Jody Olsen believes every person can make a difference in the lives of others, whether by volunteering in their own neighborhood or halfway around the globe.
Olsen, deputy director of the Peace Corps, described some of her own experiences Friday night during a 2005 commencement address to graduates of Ivy Tech State College.
"As you leave Ivy Tech tonight, whether or not you choose the Peace Corps, you can commit to make a difference," Olsen told them.
More than 400 graduates from the South Bend, Elkhart and Warsaw campuses received associate's degrees and technical certificates. Their accomplishments were greeted with cheers and applause by audience members during the ceremony at Century Center.
President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship. The organization provides volunteers the chance to live and work in developing countries.
Most Peace Corps volunteers are young adults, although the organization accepts volunteers of all ages and walks of life. In 2004, the organization began recruiting applicants from about 200 community colleges across the country.
More than 800 volunteers currently serving in the Peace Corps have two-year college degrees.
Olsen has served as deputy director of the Peace Corps since 2002, but her commitment goes back much further.
Olsen earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Utah, then served in the late 1960s for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia.
She recalled getting used to the steamy hot weather of northern Africa. Her experiences included learning to communicate with her students, who didn't speak a word of English, and listening to Muslim women explain why they felt more comfortable and free hidden behind veils.
"I learned how we could be so different but yet the same," she said.
Exchanging stories with the Tunisians helped Olsen become accustomed to their culture and helped them to understand her background. "We listened to each other without judging," she said.
Olsen said she became a better person because of her experiences.
She later served in the Peace Corps in a variety of positions from 1979 to 1984 and again from 1989 to 1992.
During Friday's ceremony, graduate Angela S. Mell of South Bend was announced as this year's recipient of the second annual scholarship provided by Indiana University South Bend to pursue a bachelor's degree at that campus. Mell earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in office administration.
Staff writer Margaret Fosmoe:
mfosmoe@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6329
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Story Source: South Bend Tribune
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Tunisia; Staff; Deputy Directors - Olsen
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